Method and apparatus for filling multiple cavity containers with measured charges of liquid



United States Patent [72] Inventors Joseph M. Tabor;

Alfonso M. Donofrio, Toledo. Ohio [21] Appl. No. 679,114 [22] Filed Oct.30, 1967 [45] Patented Dec. 29, 1970 [73] Assignee Craft MasterCorporation Toledo, Ohio a corporation of Delaware [54] METHOD ANDAPPARATUS FOR FILLING MULTIPLE CAVITY CONTAINERS WITH MEASURED CHARGESOF LIQUID 7 Claims, 8 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl. 141/1, 103/157, 141/99, 141/167, 141/191, 141/242 [51] Int.Cl B65b 3/32 [50] Field ofSearch 103/157;14l/1,9,99,100,103,104,167,178,179, l83-186,188,191, 234, 236-238, 242,243; 222/362, 409

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 970,435 9/1910 Dourte103/157 1,739,252 12/1929 Mojonnier et al. 141/183X 1,993,367 3/1935Geyer 141/183X 2,702,510 2/1955 Dourte 103/157 Primary Examiner-LaverneD. Geiger Assistant Examiner- Edward I. Earls Attorney-Owen and OwenABSTRACT: Apparatus for filling measured charges of liquid into the opentops of spaced pockets in multipocketed containers, in which the pocketsare arranged in longitudinally extending and transversely spaced rows.The containers are fed along a conveyor beneath one or more pumpmechanisms, each mechanism having a transverse bank of nozzles. Theindividual nozzles are each aligned with one of the longitudinal rows ofpockets in the containers. A drive mechanism moves the conveyorintermittently a unit distance that is equal to a whole number multipleof the longitudinal center-to-center distance between pockets in thelongitudinal rows. During each pause of the conveyor another mechanismactuates one or more of the pump mechanisms to discharge a measuredquantity of liquid therefrom into each of the group or groups of pocketsthen positioned beneath the banks of nozzles. Each pump mechanism has aliquid supply tank for each nozzle in its bank of nozzles. The tanks ofadjacent nozzles may be filled with the same or different liquids andthe tanks of longitudinally aligned nozzles in the two banks of nozzlesmay be filled with the same or different liquids.

PATENTED 05029 n SWEET l UF 4 INVENTORS: TAB an R J0 SEPH M.

ALmNsaMlmvamm.

ATTYB.

PATENTEUBEMBIQYU 3550.648

SHEET 2 BF 4 PATENTED 053291511 SHEET 3 OF 4 INVENTORS: J0 SEFH M.T115012,

BY A'Lrmvsa Ml] orma.

flow f ATT YS.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The method and apparatus of the instantinvention is particularly designed for the rapid filling of open toppedcontainers presented to the apparatus in the form of multiple pocketcontainer blanks from which the individual pockets may be severed afterbeing covered, and wherein each pocket then forms an individual separatecontainer.

A machine for filling containers of this general type is disclosed inAlfonso M. Donofrio US. Pat. No. 2,932,330, and the apparatus embodyingthe instant invention is designed for the purpose of filling the sametype of containers as are shown in that patent.

In the embodiment of the invention described herein, the mechanism isdesigned for filling multipocket container units which are initiallyformed by molding a sheet of plastic material to provide, say, 36individual pockets arranged in a reticulated six by six pattern, withfixed center-to-center distances between the pockets in the longitudinalrows thereof, and with the endpocket in each longitudinal row in asingle container unit being spaced one-half of the fixedcenter-to-center distance from the edge of the container unit. Thus,when two or more of the multipocket container units are aligned inedge-to-edge relationship, a standard unit of distance longitudinallycenter-to-center of the pockets is provided within each multipocketcontainer unit and between successive multipocket container units.

While the following specification describes an apparatus as used for thefilling of individual measured charges of paint into each of the pocketsin such a container unit, it will be appreciated, of course, that otherliquids or semiliquid or liquidlike material, such as pastes andpowders, could readily be filled on apparatus embodying the invention,the materials being, for example, small quantities of food stuffs,cosmetics, drugs, or other liquids such as spot removers, lighter fluid,and the like.

It is the principal object of the instant invention to provide. anapparatus which will rapidly and uniformly move multipocket containerunits of the type described through the machine in intermittent stepswith the unit of distance of movement being a whole number multiple ofthe longitudinal center-to-center distance between adjacent pockets.

It is another object of the instant invention to provide an apparatushaving at least two alternately usable drive mechanisms whereby, whendesired, a single pump mechanism can be employed for depositing orfilling measured charges of the material into successive transverselyextending groups of the container pockets, or the pump mechanism may beemployed for filling alternating groups together, with a second pumpmechanism which fills the intervening groups of pockets.

It is yet another object of the instant invention to provide anapparatus for filling open topped multipocket container units of thetype described wherein the individual pockets in a transverselyextending group may be filled with the same or different liquids, forexample, paintsof different colors, and the individual pockets ofalternate groups may be filled with still different liquids or with thesame liquids, depending upon the desires of the operator. The liquids,for example, colors of paint, are placed in the supply'tanks for thevarious filling nozzles ofthe pump mechanism.

These and other more specific objects and advantages of the inventionwill be better understood from the specification which follows and fromthe drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partially schematic planview ofan apparatus embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a simplified side view in elevation of the apparatus shown inFIG. I;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, plan view of a portion of the conveyor drivemechanism with parts broken away and shown on a greatly enlarged scale;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view in elevation taken frornthe positionindicated by the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, plan view of one of the pumps by which thematerial is discharged into the open topped pockets in the multiplepocket container units and shown on a greatly enlarged scale;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, vertical sectional view, taken along the lines6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, vertical sectional view, taken along the line7-7 of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view similar to a portion of FIG. 7, andillustrating parts of the pump mechanism in a position different fromthat shown inFIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An apparatus embodying theinvention has a conveyor 10 which comprises a pair of parallel chains 11and 12 that are engaged with pairs of driving sprockets 13 and 14. Thepairs of sprockets 13 and 14 are mounted on and rotatable with conveyorshafts l5 and 16 which are journaled at opposite ends of a horizontalconveyor frame generally indicated by the reference number 17 andcomprising heavy parallel side channels l8 erected on end supports 19.

The conveyor 10 also has a plurality of evenly spaced crossbars 20 (seealso FIG. 3) extending between the side chains 11 and 12 and spacedlongitudinally from each other a distance such that three of thecrossbars 20 support each one of individual multipocket container units21. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, thecrossbars 20 extend across beneath one of the container units 21 betweenthe first and second, third and fourth, and fifth and sixth transverserows or groups 22 of pockets 23, in the container units 21.

An operator standing near the on feeding end of the conveyor 10 (at theright in FIG. 1) places each successive container unit 21 on theconveyor 10 with its leading edge closely adjacent the trailing edge ofit next preceding container unit 21; and, from FIG. 3, It can be seenthat the center-to-center distance between successive'pockets 23 inlongitudinal alignment in an individual container unit 21 is the same asthe center-to-center distance between the last (sixth) and first pocket23 of successive container units 21, when placed on the conveyor 10 inedge-to-edge adjacency. In further discussions, a whole number multipleof the center-to-center distance between successive pockets 23longitudinally of the conveyor 10 will be referred to as the unitdistance as indicated in FIG. 3.

The conveyor 10 and thus the successive container units 21 are movedlineally by either of two alternately operable drive mechanismsgenerally indicated by the reference numbers 24 and 25 in FIGS. 1 and 2,and shown in some detail in FIGS. 3 and 4. Both of the drive mechanisms24 and 25 are powered from a motor driven variable speed mechanism 26which has an output sprocket 27 engaged by a main drive chain 28. Thedrive chain 28 is also engaged with a sprocket 29 (FIG. 3) that ispinned on a horizontal jack shaft 30. The jack shaft 30 is journaled onside bars 31 of a drive mechanism frame generally indicated by thereference number 32. A Geneva actuator 33 is pinned on the end of theshaft 30 and is engageable in the slots of an 8-position Geneva gear 34.The Geneva gear 34 in turn is pinned on one end of a shaft 35, alsojournaled on the side bars 31. The shaft 35 comprises a clutch 36 totransmit rotation from the Geneva gear 34 to a chain sprocket 37 at theinboard end of the shaft 35. The sprocket 37 is engaged with a conveyordrive chain 38, the chain 38 also being engaged with a conveyor drivesprocket 39 (FIGS. I and 2) pinned or otherwise secured to the conveyorshaft 16. When the clutch 36 is engaged (as shown in FIG. 3), power fromthe variable speed mechanism 26 is transmitted through the jack shaft 30and Geneva actuator 33 to rotate the Geneva gear 34 one-eighth of itsrevolution (45) for each complete revolution of the jack shaft 30. Theangular 45 movement of the Geneva gear 34, through the conveyor drivebelt 38 and the conveyor drive sprocket 39, produces lineal movement ofthe conveyor and of the container units 21 a unit distance.

A transmission sprocket 40 (FIG. 3) is also pinned on the jack shaft 30and, through the medium of the transmission chain 41, rotates a secondclutch shaft 42 for the drive mechanism 25. Similar to the clutch shaft35, the clutch shaft 42 has a Geneva actuator 43 pinned on its end andthe actuator 43 is in line to engage in the four slots of a Geneva gear44 of the second drive mechanism 25. The Geneva gear 44 is pinned on theend of a second jack shaft 45 which also carries a sprocket 46 engagedwith a second transmission chain 47. The transmission chain 47 is alsoengaged with a driven sprocket 48 on a third clutch shaft 49. The clutchshaft 49 is an axial extension of the conveyor drive shaft 16, locatedoperatively outboard from the conveyor drive sprocket 39. Through themedium of a clutch 50, power may be applied to the conveyor drive shaft16 from the second Geneva gear 44 ofthe second drive mechanism 25.

When the second drive mechanism is engaged to drive the conveyor 10 andthus to move the container units 21,

because its actuator 43 rotates at the same speed as the actuator 33 ofthe first drive mechanism 24, and because its Geneva gear 44 has onlyfour slots (spaced at 90), each rotation of the actuator 43 produceslineal movement twice as great as that produced by an individualrotation of the Geneva actuator 33.

By alternately engaging the clutches 36 or 50, power may be applied tothe conveyor 10 to move the container units 21 either a single unitdistance" for each actuation of the Geneva gear 34 or twice the unitdistance" for each actuation of the Geneva gear 44. A clutch actuatorrod 51 is mounted for longitudinal .sliding movement in suitablebrackets (not shown) extending along the mechanism frame 32,.and coupledby bell cranks'52 and 53, respectively, to the clutches 36 and 50. InFIG. 1 it will be observed that the driving and driven faces of the twoclutches 36 and 50 are set on opposite sides so that movement of the rod51 in one direction or the other simultaneously opens the clutch 36 andcloses the clutch'50, or opens the clutch 50 and closes the clutch 36.It is thus impossible to have both of the drive mechanisms 24 and 25simultaneously engaged for driving the conveyor 10.

When the drive mechanism 24 is driving the conveyor 10 with the powertransmitted from the actuator 33 to the Geneva gear 34 and thencethrough the clutch 36 to the conveyor drive chain 38 and the conveyorshaft 16, the transmission chain 41 is also rotating the Geneva actuator43 and it is in turn actuating the Geneva gear 44 to rotate the clutchshaft 49. However, because the clutch 50 of the second drive mechanism25 is open at this time, the actuator 43 and Geneva gear 44 merelyrotate as idlers and single unit distance" movement of the conveyor 10results. Conversely, when the clutch 36 is open and the clutch 50 isclosed, power from the jack shaft is transmitted through thetransmission chain 41 to the clutch shaft 42 and the actuator 43 andthence through the Geneva gear 44 and the transmission chain 47 to theclutch shaft 49. Because the clutch 50 is closed at this point, thisproduces double unit distance" movement of the conveyor 10. Because theclutch 36 is open at this point, even though the actuator 33 rotateswith the shaft 30, actuating the Geneva gear 34, now power is applied tothe-sprocket 37 and conveyor drive chain 38, and the actuator 33 andGeneva gear 34 rotate as idlers.

By suitable adaptations the drive mechanisms 24 and 25 can be designedto move the conveyor 10 and thus the containers 21 any predeterminedunit distance or multiple thereof.

A first pump, generally indicated by the reference number 54 and shownin detail in FIGS. 5-8. inclusive, has an input shaft 55 which is drivenfrom the jack shaft 30 by a pump drive chain 56 that is engaged with asprocket 57 on the inboard end of the jack shaft 30 and with a sprocket58 pinned on the end of the pump input drive shaft 55. Because the pumpinput drive shaft 55 is driven off the jack shaft 30. this shaft 55 ofthe pump rotates constantly whenever the motor driven speed changemechanism 26 is operating.

The pump 54 and its actuating mechanism is mounted on a bridge plate 59supported by spacer blocks 60 on the side channels 18 of the main frame17 and extending across above the conveyor 10. In the embodiment of theinvention shown, the pump 54 comprises a main manifold block 61 havingsix horizontal bores 62 therein, which extend horizontally parallel toeach other and longitudinally of the conveyor 10. The rear ends of thebores 62 are closed by an end plate 63 (FIG. 6). Each of the bores 62serves as a cylinder for a pump plunger 64. Each of the bores 62'has aninlet orifice 65 (FIG. 6) in which is secured a threaded nipple 66 towhich is coupled one of a group of six feed lines 67, a, b, c, d, e,orf. The feed lines 67 a, b, c, d, e and f, respectively, are connectedto liquid supply tanks 68 a, b, c, d, e, f, (FIG. 1) that are supportedabove the conveyor 10 and the pump 54 by suitable framework not shown.The inlet orifices 65 of the six bores 62 are aligned transversely ofthe conveyor 10 but their center lines are all spaced slightly at oneside of vertical planes through the center lines of the pump plungers64, as can best be seen by reference to FIG. 7. Each of the bores 62also has an outlet orifice 69 vertically coaxial with the respectiveinlet orifice 65 and to which there is coupled a downwardly extendingtubular nozzle 70. In this embodiment, the nozzles 70 are with itsGeneva gear 34 or 44.

Inlet and outlet valve grooves 71 and 72, respectively, are milled inthe periphery or each of the plungers 64, the grooves 71 and 72extending axially and'being diametrically opposed from each otherrelative to the axial center line of the respective plunger 64. Byrocking the bank of plungers 64 on their longitudinal axes, the inletgrooves 71 and outlet grooves 72 are alternately placed in communicationwith the respective inlet orifices 65 and outlet orifices 69 as can bestbe seen by comparing FIGS. 7 and 8.

The manifold block 61 is supported above the bridge plate 59 on spacerblocks 73 and connected thereto by machine screws 74 extending throughthe block 61, the spacers 73 and threaded into the bridge plate 59. Themanifold block 61 is so positioned by the spacers 73 that the nozzlesoverhang the end of the bridge plate 59, as can best be seen in FIG. 6.

The pump input shaft 55 extends transversely across the bridge plate 59and is journaled by a pair-of pillow blocks 75 which are mounted on theplate 59, one on each side. The shaft 55 carries a pair of actuatingcams 76 and 77 which are pinned to the shaft 55 and which rotate withthe shaft 55. The cam 76 is captive between a pair of rollers 78 thatare carried by a reciprocating yoke 79 which has a horizontal slot 80embracing the input shaft 55 and being guided thereby during itsgenerally horizontal reciprocations as the result of the rotation of thecam 76. The free end of the yoke 79 is pivotally connected to the upperend of a stroke adjusting rocker 81 which is pivotally attached at itslower end by a clevis 82 which is in turn bolted to the edge of thebridge plate 59.

The rocker 81 has a vertical slot 83 within which is slideably mounted apivot block 84. The position of the block 84 in the slot 83 is adjustedby two opposed screws 85 which are threaded through the ends of therocker 81 and engage the block 84.

An arm 86 is pivotally attached to the block 84 at one end and at itsother end is pivotally connected by an upright to a clevis 87 to areciprocating. slide 88. The slide 88 is confined within ways 89 whichare screwed onto the bridge plate 59. The end of the slide 88 oppositethe rocker 81 carries a transverse channel 90 which engages the bottomcircular edges of plunger rockers 91 one of which is secured on the endsof or integral with and extends radially of each of the pump plungers64. Rotation of the pump input shaft 55 rotates the cam 76,reciprocating the yoke 79, and rocking the rocker 81 to reciprocate theslide 88. The extent of lineal movement or throw of the slide 88 can beadjusted by moving the block 84 in the rocker 81. Because the channel 90on the slide 88 engages the'plunger rockers 91, the rotation of theshaft 55 produces controlled reciprocating movement of the plungers 64..I

The actuating cam 77 is captive between a pair of rollers 92 which aremounted on a pedestal .93 carried by a horizontally reciprocating camplate 94 lying on the upper surface of the bridge plate 59 and guided byway blocks 95 attached to the bridge plate 59. The reciprocating camplate 94 has anoblique slot 96 that engages a pin 97 carried by a crossslide 98. The cross slide 98 is mounted for reciprocation in a pair ofguide blocks 99 mounted on the bridge plate 59. Reciprocation of theplate 94 is translated by the slot 96 and pin 97 to the cross slide 98.Each of the plunger rockers 91 has an axial pin 100 which is engaged ina vertical slot 101 milled in the cross slide 98. Transverse movement ofthe cross slide 98 moves the pins 100 and oscillates the rockers 91 torotate the plungers 64 between an intake position (FIG. 7) and adischarge position (FIG. 8);

Rotation of the shaft 55 sequentially rocks the plungers 64 to theintake position (FIG. 7); moves the plungers 64 to the left (FIG. 6) todraw paint into the cylinder bores 62; rotates the plungers 64 to thedischarge position (FIG. 8); and moves the plungers to the right (FIG.6) to cause expulsion of the paint through the nozzles 70.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, a second pump,generally indicated by the reference number 102 (FIGS. 1 and 2), ismounted on the side channels 18 at a location spaced from the first pump54. In detail the pump 102 is identical with the pump 54 and, like thepump 54 has a bank of nozzles 103. The pump 102 has a cam drive shaft104 which has a drive sprocket 105 on its end that is engaged witha-drive chain 106. The chain 106 also is engaged with a sprocket 107pinned on an output shaft 108 of a clutch 109. The clutch 109 is drivenby the clutch shaft 42 and actuated by a'bell crank 110 coupled to theclutch rod 51 in parallel with the clutch 50.

The nozzles 103 of the second pump 102 are spaced from the nozzles 70 ofthe first pump 54 a distance equal to a number of double "unit distancesplus one unit distance. Thus, when the clutches 50 and 109 are engagedand the conveyor is driven double unit distances" by the four slotGeneva drive mechanism 25, the first pump 54 deposits measured chargesof liquid into each alternate transversely extending group or row 22 ofpockets 23, and the second pump 102 deposits charges in the interveninggroup or row 22 of pockets 23 in the container units 21.

The method of this invention involves depositing measured charges ofliquid, preferably paint, into the open tops of spaced pockets 23 inmultipoc ket container units 21, in which the pockets 23 are arranged inlongitudinally extending and transversely spaced rows. The methodcomprises, in its broadest aspect, positioning a plurality ofmultipocket container units 21 in an end-to-en'cl relationship,intermittently moving the container units 21 along a predetermined patha distance equal to a whole number multiple of the longitudinalcenter-to-centerdistance between successive pockets 23 in a longitudinalrow of pockets, during each pause of the container units 21 depositing ameasured quantity of liquid into one transverse group of the containerpockets 23, simultaneously depositing a measured quantity of liquid intoanother transverse group (or row) of pockets 23 spaced from the firstgroup a predetermined whole number multiple of the unit distance, andintermittently advancing the containers 21 along such predetermined pathuntil all of the container pockets 23 are filled.

In a preferred embodiment the method is carried out with the apparatusof the invention. The preferred embodiment of the'method comprisespositioning a plurality of multipocket container units 21 havinguniformly spaced pockets 23 arranged in longitudinally extending andtransversely spaced rows, in an end-to-end relationship on a conveyor10. The conveyor 10 and thus the container units 21 are intermittentlymoved along a distance equal to a whole number multiple of thelongitudinal center-to-center distance between successive pockets 23 ina longitudinal row of pockets. This distance, as hereinbefore stated, isa "unit distance." The movement of the conveyor 10 is indexed so thatwhen at rest, one transversely extending group or row of pockets 23 liesunderneath a correspondingly spaced and arranged bank of nozzles 70, andanother transversely extending group or row of pockets 23 spaced fromthe first row a distance equal to a whole number multiple of the unitdistance lies underneath another bank of nozzles 70. Each pump 54 or 102is then activated and paint from each bank of nozzles is deposited intothe respective transversely extending group ro row of pockets 23 lyingbeneath the banks. Preferably each nozzle 70 deposits a different colorpaint. The banks of nozzles 70 are so positioned that they deposit intoalternate transverse rows of pockets 23.

After the paint is deposited the containers are advanced intermittentlyuntil all of the desired container pockets are filled.

We claim:

1. An apparatus for depositing measured charges of liquid into the opentops of spaced pockets in rnultipocketed containers, in which thepockets are arranged in transversely spaced, longitudinally extendingrows, said apparatus comprising a conveyor for carrying said containers,a drive mechanism for moving said conveyor intermittently a unitdistance that is equal toa whole number multiple, comprising two orabove, of the longitudinal center-to-center distance between successivepockets in a longitudinal row of pockets, a plurality of pump mechanismsmounted above and along said conveyor, each of said pump mechanismshaving a transversely extending bank of nozzles, each nozzle in saidbank of nozzles being aligned with a respective longitudinal row ofpockets in said containers, each transverse bank of nozzles being spacedfrom the next bank of nozzles a distance equal to a whole numbermultiple, comprising two or above, of such longitudinal center-to-centerdistance between successive pockets in a longitudinal row ofpockets,means for actuating each of said pump mechanisms to discharge liquidinto its associated bank of nozzles during each pause of the conveyor todeposit a measured quantity of liquid sufficient to completely fill asingle pocket into the respective ones of the group of pocketspositioned beneath said bank of nozzles, each of said pump mechanismsbeing effective during each pause of said conveyor to completely fill ina single charge the pockets positioned beneath the respective bank ofnozzles, and at least two separate liquid supply tanks in communicationwith each bank of said nozzles, whereby the tanks in communication withselected nozzles in each bank of nozzles and tanks in communication withlongitudinally aligned nozzles in successive banks of nozzles may befilled with the different liquids.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the nozzles in a bank ofnozzles lie in a transversely extending row and the pockets in thecontainers are similarly arranged in transversely extending rows.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 in which the row of nozzles extendsperpendicularly across the conveyor and the pockets in the container arein a uniformly spaced center-tocenter reticulated pattern. 7

4. An apparatus according to claim '1 in which each of said pumpmechanisms comprises a separate pump cylinder and piston for each of thenozzles, a supply tank for each cylinder,

valve means carried by each of said pistons for placing the associatedone of said cylinders alternately in communication with the respectivenozzle and the respective tank, a yoke for simultaneously reciprocatingsaid pistons in said cylinders, means for simultaneously actuating allof said valve means, and in which the pump actuating mechanism iscoupled to the conveyor mechanism for actuating said pump betweenmovements of the conveyor.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the pump actuating mechanismincludes a driven shaft, a cam mounted on said driven shaft, linkagemeans operatively connected to said cam and to the piston yoke cylinder,and means for adjusting said linkage means for varying the length of thepiston stroke.

6. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein each of said pistons hasgenerally opposed, axially extending, inlet and outlet grooves in itsperiphery, a liquid intake port in the wall of each of said cylinders, aliquid nozzle discharge port in the wall of each of said cylindersspaced circumferentially from the respective inlet port, and means forrocking said pistons between a position wherein said intake portcommunicates with said inlet groove and a position wherein said nozzledischarge port communicates with said outlet groove.

7. A method of depositing uniform measured charges of liquid into theopen tops of spaced pockets in multipocket containers, in which thepockets are arranged in longitudinally extending and transversely spacedrows, said method comprising positioning a plurality of the multipocketcontainers in an end-to-end relationship, intermittently moving thecontainers along a predetermined path a unit distance that is equal to awhole number multiple, comprising two or above, of the iongitudinalcenter-to-center distance between successive pockets in a longitudinalrow of pockets, during each pause of the containers depositing ameasured quantity of liquid, sufficient to fill a single containerpocket; into respective single ones of a first generally transverselyextending row of container pockets, simultaneously depositing a measuredquantity, sufficient to fill a single container pocket, of a differentliquid into respective other single ones of the first row of containerpockets, simultaneously depositing a measured quantity of liquid,sufficient to fill a single container pocket, into respective singleones of a second generally transversely extending row of pockets that isspaced from such first row a distance that is equal to a whole numbermultiple, comprising two or above, of the longitudinal center-to-centerdistance between successive pockets in a longitudinal row of pockets,and simultaneously depositing a measured quantity, sufficient to fill asingle container pocket, of a different liquid into respective othersingle ones of the second row of container pockets.

